Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-07-08
Il NEGLECTED. GRAVE.
IfOc q Brdre Man Net His
De0th---4 Remnisceuce of
the Indian U0r Of'11.

The months of June and july. 1877.
witnessed stirring times on Camas prai-
rie, when the hostile Nez Perces under
Chief Joseph were in the food tide of
their carnival of deviltry. The events
of that period followed each other in
quick succession from the memorable
date of the outbreak ON June Ii, down
to the second week in July. The cir
cumstances of which we now speak
occurred on July 4. On the morning of
that day William Foster and Charles
Blewett, citizen scouts in the service of
the government, were ordered to scout
on Craig's mountain to ascertain the
whereabouts of the Indians. They had
proceeded as far as lawyers canyon
when they ran into bunch of the hos
tiles who were ambushed there. Blew
EFT and Foster were some distance apart
when the Indians opened fire. and as
Blewett seemed to be in the thickest Of
the firing. Foster hailed him, saying:
Come on and get out of this" Blew.
EFT replied: II am going to haye one
shot first" and dismounting, he fred at
an Indian. His horse, scared by the
firing, broke away from him and ran
towards the Indians who were concealed
in the brush. Foster tried to head off
the animal, but the hostiles were shoot
Ing at him at such short range that he
was compelled to retreat. He then
called to Blewett to take to the brush
and he would try to help him. Blewett
had evidently been crippled by shot
In the leg, as the last Foster saw of him
he was lmping for the brush along the
creek. Foster had by this.time headed
for the prairie, and the Indians chased
him to the brow of Cottonwood hill.
He however escaped to the Cottonwood
house. where company of troops under
command of Lieut.. Perry were camped.
and narrated the circumstances, and
made such an eloquent appeal for help
to assist him in returning to rescue
young Blewett, that the entire company
volunteered, but as it was deemed in
advisable for the whole force to go, a
volunteer company composed of Lieut..
Rains and eleven soldiers were detailed
to return with him and attempt the
rescue. Foster was particular to inn
press upon the Lieutenant and the
soldiers the necessity of the utmost
caution, and that some or all of them
were liable TO be killed in the attempt.
They left the Cottonwood house and
had got as far as the springs on the
stage road up the butte when the entire
command were fired upon by Indians
am bushed in the brush. Part of tho
soldiers dismounted, getting among the
rocks and firing into the ambuscade,
while others of the company charged.
but these were met by such volley
that they were compelled to retreat to
the stage road and join their compan-
ions. Foster was the last, and in en-
deavoring to reach the command his
horse was shot under him, and in
attempting to run on foot he was killed
in the road. opposite where his grave
now is. The soldiers were all killed,
and were buried in one grave. and their
remains have since been exhumed and
reburied with military honors at old fort
Lapwai. Foster being a civilian, was
buried and still sleeps where he fell, by
the side of the stage read on the hill
which overlooks the prairie.
The grave of this brave scout is in a
sadly dilapidated state. The rails which
once enclosed it have been removed by
vandal hands, the soil which covers
him has given birth to rank growth of
grass and briers, and the cayotes have
burrowed SO that the earth is caving in,
and very soon, unless steps are taken
to re-enclose and preserve this memo
rable spot, the trampling stock will soon
obliterate the few faint traces that are
left to mark the spot where fell brave
man who risked his life, after once
escaping from the very teeth of death,
to save comrade. Never do we pass
this sacred spot without experiencing q
hard feeling around the heart--a feeling
that inspires us with desire to do
something to preserve this lonely grave
from desecration and annihilation, and
to have the brave deeds of its occupant
commemorated in enduring marble.
Can not this thing be done? Are
there not enough survivors of the
bloody drama among us-men with
kindly ellow-feeling for the doer of
brave action to raise a purse for the
erection of plain marble tablet to COM
memorate the heroism of William Fos-
ter and for the preservation of his grave
from further desecration?
Commissioners meet next Tuesday,